Comments on: Y Combinator Taking Apps: Have Idea, Will Travel http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/ Startup and Tech News Fri, 16 May 2008 13:21:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: It’s Still Very Early, But Scribd Looks Like A Winner http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1279042 It’s Still Very Early, But Scribd Looks Like A Winner Sun, 25 Mar 2007 07:11:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1279042 [...] company a Y Combinator company founded by Trip Adler, Jared Friedman, and Tikhon Bernstam. Sphere [...] […] company a Y Combinator company founded by Trip Adler, Jared Friedman, and Tikhon Bernstam. Sphere […]

]]> By: RazorSharp iPods & Raw Gadgets » Blog Archive » Kiko Guys Back As Reality TV Stars http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1252970 RazorSharp iPods & Raw Gadgets » Blog Archive » Kiko Guys Back As Reality TV Stars Tue, 20 Mar 2007 22:45:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1252970 [...] years ago Y Combinator invested in Justin Kan and Emmett Shear’s calendaring company, Kiko, which eventually folded [...] […] years ago Y Combinator invested in Justin Kan and Emmett Shear’s calendaring company, Kiko, which eventually folded […]

]]> By: Kiko Guys Back As Reality TV Stars http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1244445 Kiko Guys Back As Reality TV Stars Mon, 19 Mar 2007 08:12:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1244445 [...] years ago Y Combinator invested in Justin Kan and Emmett Shear’s calendaring company, Kiko, which eventually folded [...] […] years ago Y Combinator invested in Justin Kan and Emmett Shear’s calendaring company, Kiko, which eventually folded […]

]]> By: frank spenser http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1121530 frank spenser Sat, 03 Mar 2007 23:31:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1121530 I cant belive you guys. $5000 plus $5000 per founder for 1 - 10% stake is USURY no matter how you look at it. If they are in for the charity work then they should follow the lightspeed model.. You cant be claiming to help the "poor kids" while robbing them blind at the same time. I cant belive you guys. $5000 plus $5000 per founder for 1 - 10% stake is USURY no matter how you look at it. If they are in for the charity work then they should follow the lightspeed model.. You cant be claiming to help the “poor kids” while robbing them blind at the same time.

]]> By: Anny http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1112896 Anny Sat, 03 Mar 2007 06:21:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1112896 very useful stuff over here. thanx. http://order-xanax.da.cx very useful stuff over here. thanx. http://order-xanax.da.cx

]]> By: David Mackey http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1043773 David Mackey Sun, 25 Feb 2007 04:57:12 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1043773 YCombinator is a nifty idea. Feel bad for those college grads. though, not a lot of money to work off of. YCombinator is a nifty idea. Feel bad for those college grads. though, not a lot of money to work off of.

]]> By: Kevin Fischer http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1021276 Kevin Fischer Thu, 22 Feb 2007 21:16:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1021276 <b>Patricia</b>: what YC company pissed people off in the business and what did they do? Patricia: what YC company pissed people off in the business and what did they do?

]]> By: Berlin http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1021208 Berlin Thu, 22 Feb 2007 21:04:05 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1021208 From reading numerous Paul Graham articles, he seem to only speak to the "hacker" crowd. Even if your the next Chad Hurley with great idea and design skills, I doubt if you'll even get $10. From reading numerous Paul Graham articles, he seem to only speak to the “hacker” crowd. Even if your the next Chad Hurley with great idea and design skills, I doubt if you’ll even get $10.

]]> By: Jawad (Shuzak) http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1020339 Jawad (Shuzak) Thu, 22 Feb 2007 18:42:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1020339 BlogReader, the name Paul Graham is a brand for tech startups. I am not arguing that $5k can necessarily buy you the next Digg, but it can bring in publicity. Does anyone here think that the YCombinator backed startup, Wufoo, really worth a mention in prominent blogs such a TechCrunch? No. The fact that I am even mentioning it here is testament to the logic that bad publicity is not as good as good publicity but it is still better than no publicity at all. There is a hype around startups funded by YCombinator. Some lucky startups get to take full advantage of that. - Jawad Shuaib founder, Shuzak.com BlogReader, the name Paul Graham is a brand for tech startups. I am not arguing that $5k can necessarily buy you the next Digg, but it can bring in publicity. Does anyone here think that the YCombinator backed startup, Wufoo, really worth a mention in prominent blogs such a TechCrunch? No. The fact that I am even mentioning it here is testament to the logic that bad publicity is not as good as good publicity but it is still better than no publicity at all.

There is a hype around startups funded by YCombinator. Some lucky startups get to take full advantage of that.

- Jawad Shuaib
founder, Shuzak.com

]]> By: Patricia http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1020298 Patricia Thu, 22 Feb 2007 18:36:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1020298 I'm confused - is it for college students or not? One of the companies they funded told me they weren't college students.... I have no idea, just curious. I'm curious about their involvement in the projects they fund in terms of business strategy - one of their companies I know for a fact has pissed off a few people in the business. I wouldn't think that it'd be something Y combinator would have advocated but you never know. I’m confused - is it for college students or not? One of the companies they funded told me they weren’t college students…. I have no idea, just curious.

I’m curious about their involvement in the projects they fund in terms of business strategy - one of their companies I know for a fact has pissed off a few people in the business. I wouldn’t think that it’d be something Y combinator would have advocated but you never know.

]]> By: NicolasV http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1020031 NicolasV Thu, 22 Feb 2007 18:05:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1020031 There's an averse selection problem here: any start up that looks for incubation and will give up 1-10% for $5K per founder is most likely to be eventually featured on TC in the deadpool section There’s an averse selection problem here: any start up that looks for incubation and will give up 1-10% for $5K per founder is most likely to be eventually featured on TC in the deadpool section

]]> By: matthew http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1019278 matthew Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:36:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1019278 it's a trap! it’s a trap!

]]> By: BlogReader http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1019142 BlogReader Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:21:01 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1019142 <b>Jawad (Shuzak)</b> <i>Paul Graham is a brand</i> A brand ... of what? Jawad (Shuzak) Paul Graham is a brand

A brand … of what?

]]> By: Adrian http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1017878 Adrian Thu, 22 Feb 2007 13:45:45 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1017878 I have kindly expressed 8 social community and social responsibilty websites for anyone to embrace: http://launchpadisrael.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=22 -- -rockbottom: picking yourself up -aboutface: admissions and revelations -kinglycrisis: taking charge -sayinitloud: speaking up and out -globelevancy: meeting the dream -dumpit: integrating the haves and have nots -droppedzone: beware you can't deny it -newsanity: asserting oneself -energysender: energy, it's everywhere I have kindly expressed 8 social community and social responsibilty websites for anyone to embrace:

http://launchpadisrael.com/mod.....?itemid=22
–
-rockbottom: picking yourself up

-aboutface: admissions and revelations

-kinglycrisis: taking charge

-sayinitloud: speaking up and out

-globelevancy: meeting the dream

-dumpit: integrating the haves and have nots

-droppedzone: beware you can’t deny it

-newsanity: asserting oneself

-energysender: energy, it’s everywhere

]]> By: Vlad http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1016866 Vlad Thu, 22 Feb 2007 11:37:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1016866 Y Combinator can help you speed up your bus. so why not ? it's a very good program Y Combinator can help you speed up your bus. so why not ? it’s a very good program

]]> By: Jawad (Shuzak) http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1015987 Jawad (Shuzak) Thu, 22 Feb 2007 09:05:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1015987 Squasher, a firm that funds various smaller startups is taking advantage of economies of scale. Paul Graham has openly admitted that he would be glad if just 2 out of 10 startups they fund actually succeed. In other words, the money gained on the 2 successful startups would more than makeup for the amount lost in the other eight. Most web startups, today, do not require multitudes of employees initially. Not surprisingly, at the startup stage, large sums of money is often not a necessity. - Jawad Shuaib jawad.exe@gmail.com Squasher, a firm that funds various smaller startups is taking advantage of economies of scale. Paul Graham has openly admitted that he would be glad if just 2 out of 10 startups they fund actually succeed. In other words, the money gained on the 2 successful startups would more than makeup for the amount lost in the other eight.

Most web startups, today, do not require multitudes of employees initially. Not surprisingly, at the startup stage, large sums of money is often not a necessity.

- Jawad Shuaib
jawad.exe@gmail.com

]]> By: Squasher98 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1015680 Squasher98 Thu, 22 Feb 2007 08:20:39 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1015680 IMO, the problem with these VC funded incubators is that when you offer a marginal deal, you get marginal companies who apply. Maybe one or two work out and produce a small return, but since when are VC firms in the market for charity work? If a VC offered $50-75,000 for a 5% investment and limited it to say 2 companies, I bet the applicant pool would look very different and much more promising. IMO, the problem with these VC funded incubators is that when you offer a marginal deal, you get marginal companies who apply. Maybe one or two work out and produce a small return, but since when are VC firms in the market for charity work?

If a VC offered $50-75,000 for a 5% investment and limited it to say 2 companies, I bet the applicant pool would look very different and much more promising.

]]> By: Jawad (Shuzak) http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1015215 Jawad (Shuzak) Thu, 22 Feb 2007 07:20:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1015215 We have been looking forward to applying for YComb for the past three months. As with most other startups, the investment does not count as much as the connections and experience gained through such a partnership. Moreover, it also provides free marketing coverage for a company funded by YComb. Paul Graham is a brand, and many startups (such a Kiko, Reddit, etc) take full advantage of it when they partner up with him. - Jawad Shuaib founder, Shuzak.com We have been looking forward to applying for YComb for the past three months. As with most other startups, the investment does not count as much as the connections and experience gained through such a partnership. Moreover, it also provides free marketing coverage for a company funded by YComb. Paul Graham is a brand, and many startups (such a Kiko, Reddit, etc) take full advantage of it when they partner up with him.

- Jawad Shuaib
founder, Shuzak.com

]]> By: Zaid http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1015163 Zaid Thu, 22 Feb 2007 07:13:58 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1015163 I would be awesome if Paul Graham did this for companies ALREADY launched by similar audience(college folks) AND have recieved some traction AND don't want to jump into the big VC redtape yet at the same time continue to have some $$$ to survive cheap and take it to the next milestone(whatever that may be). More and more companies are being profiled that recieved a decent start yet wasted crapload of time doing the VC thing, then realizing they just wasted two months of precious time that comes right after the launch. It's a win-win for all – Y-Combinator increases its chances of a hit; and the lil guys behind the start-up get the much needed financial help and start-up advice from gurus without the VC redtape(assuming there isn't one). -Zaid I would be awesome if Paul Graham did this for companies ALREADY launched by similar audience(college folks) AND have recieved some traction AND don’t want to jump into the big VC redtape yet at the same time continue to have some $$$ to survive cheap and take it to the next milestone(whatever that may be).

More and more companies are being profiled that recieved a decent start yet wasted crapload of time doing the VC thing, then realizing they just wasted two months of precious time that comes right after the launch.

It’s a win-win for all – Y-Combinator increases its chances of a hit; and the lil guys behind the start-up get the much needed financial help and start-up advice from gurus without the VC redtape(assuming there isn’t one).

-Zaid

]]> By: visible.mobi http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1015036 visible.mobi Thu, 22 Feb 2007 06:57:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1015036 I think Lightspeed rocks ! I think Lightspeed rocks !

]]> By: Michelle http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1014961 Michelle Thu, 22 Feb 2007 06:49:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1014961 Strange, I thought Graham wasn't going to hold the next one until July-ish, maybe the recent surge of all of these VC competitions is pushing people to hold ones earlier, would be a shame to miss out on the 'next big thing.' :) "Some Programmer Experience" - actually, I think one of the major big points is that one of the people on the team must be a programmer...which is understandable... Light Speed Ventures Competition...where are you hearing all of these news online? Is it posted somewhere b/c I thought only Stanford people knew about the competition Strange, I thought Graham wasn’t going to hold the next one until July-ish, maybe the recent surge of all of these VC competitions is pushing people to hold ones earlier, would be a shame to miss out on the ‘next big thing.’ :)

“Some Programmer Experience” - actually, I think one of the major big points is that one of the people on the team must be a programmer…which is understandable…

Light Speed Ventures Competition…where are you hearing all of these news online? Is it posted somewhere b/c I thought only Stanford people knew about the competition

]]> By: Jonathan http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1014814 Jonathan Thu, 22 Feb 2007 06:29:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1014814 #6, totally agree. I wish there are more programs, maybe by VCs or by foundations (eBay, Craigslist come to mind). There are various university competitions that with VCs involvement but the pitfall is that finalists rarely emerge to become real companies/nonprofits. Kiva.org may be an exception but they already had good traction before coming out as Stanford social entrepreneurship challenge as finalist. #6, totally agree. I wish there are more programs, maybe by VCs or by foundations (eBay, Craigslist come to mind). There are various university competitions that with VCs involvement but the pitfall is that finalists rarely emerge to become real companies/nonprofits. Kiva.org may be an exception but they already had good traction before coming out as Stanford social entrepreneurship challenge as finalist.

]]> By: Curt http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1014735 Curt Thu, 22 Feb 2007 06:16:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1014735 Too bad no such thing exists in the realm of 'social entrepreneurship.' Too bad no such thing exists in the realm of ’social entrepreneurship.’

]]> By: John P. http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1014728 John P. Thu, 22 Feb 2007 06:15:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1014728 The YC founders also have frequent dinners together. Recently Joe Kraus (JotSpot) attended and so did Evan Williams (Blogger) among others of similar stature. The fact that they take a small percentage is a great way to align their interests in my opinion. I'm sure it filters out the people who would rather have 50% of $1 million than 10% of $100 million, which is nothing but good for YC. Paul was Reddit's #1 user in the early days and gave them critically useful feedback. I would _pay_ to start a company under the YC umbrella. The YC founders also have frequent dinners together. Recently Joe Kraus (JotSpot) attended and so did Evan Williams (Blogger) among others of similar stature.

The fact that they take a small percentage is a great way to align their interests in my opinion. I’m sure it filters out the people who would rather have 50% of $1 million than 10% of $100 million, which is nothing but good for YC.

Paul was Reddit’s #1 user in the early days and gave them critically useful feedback. I would _pay_ to start a company under the YC umbrella.

]]> By: Ray/MillionReturn.Com http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1014426 Ray/MillionReturn.Com Thu, 22 Feb 2007 05:28:45 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/21/y-combinator-taking-apps-have-idea-will-travel/#comment-1014426 $5,000 plus $5,000 per founder... for what?! 1-10% stake :( That's too much! Lightspeed venture's program is much better! --------------------------------- www.MillionReturn.Com -- Return $1m from 1 page! How? $5,000 plus $5,000 per founder… for what?! 1-10% stake :( That’s too much!

Lightspeed venture’s program is much better!

———————————
http://www.MillionReturn.Com — Return $1m from 1 page! How?

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